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Sexual Healing: Jesse L. Martin To Play Marvin Gaye

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Lenny Kravitz is out and “Law & Order” alum Jesse L. Martin is officially in as Marvin Gaye in the biopic about the late singer’s life.

Martin is now confirmed to play the Motown legend in the Julien Temple-helmed “Sexual Healing,” which is slated to start filming in later this month in Europe according to Deadline.com.

The 44-year-old actor was previously attached to star in the James Gandolfini-produced version of “Sexual Healing” five years ago. That version didn’t happen, but the project made headlines again in November 2012 when it was announced Kravitz would play Gaye in the film.

Lenny Kravitz

Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III, asked Kravitz to drop out of the movie and threatened legal action against the production.

“Sexual Healing” is moving forward despite opposition from Gaye’s son. The film will focus on the time Gaye spent in Europe in the early 1980s, where he worked to overcome his addictions and get his career back on track with the help of British music promoter Freddy Cousaert.

Gaye was shot by his father and died in Los Angeles on April 1, 1984.

The film “Sexual Healing” isn’t the only project about Gaye getting push back from his son.

AlwaysAList.com reported on Feb. 15 that actors Lynn Whitfield and Clifton Powell were staring in a play about Gaye’s life called “My Brother Marvin.” The touring play, adapted from a book by Gaye’s sister Zeola Gaye, has come under fire from Marvin Gaye III as well.